Buck Taylor

William Levi "Buck" Taylor, known as the "King of the Cowboys" in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, sits for a full-length studio portrait while on tour with the show in England. He is sitting on a tree stump and wears a cowboy hat and buckskin pants with tassles hanging from the outer seams. A saddle is on the ground in the right foreground. A landscape scene is painted on the backdrop behind him. Taylor was one of the stars of Buffalo Bill's show and performed in numerous horseback riding acts. He was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 1857. He was orphaned at a young age and worked as a cowboy to support himself. He eventually found himself at William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody's ranch in Nebraska, where he learned to read and write. He later joined the Wild West Show and became one its major stars, appearing just before Cody made his grand entrance into the arena. Taylor died in Downington, Pennsylvania, in 1924.

Copyright restrictions applying to use or reproduction of this image available from the Western History and Genealogy Dept., Denver Public Library, at photosales@denverlibrary.org.

Reproduction Available for Purchase

Yes (digital reproduction)

Related Material

Image File: ZZR700105124

Notes

"Buck Taylor - famous cowboy, with Buffalo Bill's Wild West from its inception in 1884. He was from Massachusetts [sic] and became chief of the cowboys in London in 1887. From the collection of Nate Salsbury, owner and manager of Buffalo Bill's Wild West - Given by his family in 1938" handwritten on back of print.; "Buck Taylor No. 16E 1887" handwritten on photoprint.; Image also identified as "F10279."; Photoprint has hole in upper right side. Buck Taylor was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 1857 ; R7001051240

Filename

00105124.tif

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